This “wayward” collection of poems from Melody Klink contains many words of regret and sadness, and joy and celebration, while leaving the reader intensely thoughtful about life, lives and the meaning of it all. For me there seemed to be too few poems about the awe and wonder to be found in nature, though Flutterby and Lightning gave a hint of hope. The majority of the poems that spoke to me I felt were fundamentally about the happiness and fears that parenthood can bring. One or two of Klink’s poems were so full of pathos that one has to stop reading and consider a few moments of sympathy for anyone who has undergone similar experiences or circumstances. It may be that I am of a generation who consider the English language to be so full of wonderful words that there is no need to use expletives in the narrative of stories or poetry – unless it is in a character’s quoted speech. The occasional use here brought me up short in my pleasure reading this collection. However, the raw feelings and thoughts of the writer gave me cause to ponder and reluctantly accept this as a kind of cry in a darkness that once surrounded them.

My particular favourites were: A Mother’s Anxiety, Grass Stains, Sorrow Last, Child’s Fascination, Her Body, Mother’s Lament, Behind Pursed Lips, Smile Through It and A.L.M.V. (should I know what these letters stand for?). Never having been a fan of Haiku I found the inclusion of many very short pieces a little irritating, but each to her/his own as “they” say. A recommended read.